Atmosphere in old photos is not something you can add afterwards. This doesn’t sound stupid? does it? Atmosphere in old photos would have been something that was captured at the time of the shutter press.

Trying to retouch a photo that doesn’t have atmosphere nearly always ends up looking false. Take this photo.

Atmosphere in old photos

The fall of light through a windows, a darkened room, smoke hanging in the air and reflective light bouncing around the scene. You cannot add this or recreate this in “retouching”. This image has real atmosphere.

Having a vision for a photo is a good thing. But we have to be realistic about what we can achieve. With an outside photo that is dull and has no shadows or contrast we can’t go adding a sunny sky. If we do we then have to add dark shadows to everything, re-light any faces with shadows under noses and ears etc. Same for a brightly lit sunny image , we cant go adding overly dramatic evening skies.

Changing elements of the image to fit in with that is already there or that compliments the lighting works best.

Adding atmosphere in old photos

In this image it was possible to add a suitable sky that could be back lighting the dress. It has the correct direction of light and works with the image. Trying to force the issue results in obvious fakery. Any image that looks fake is what every artist strives to avoid. Realistic results is the desired outcome. It is rare to find two elements that mesh so well. In practice this almost never happens. Replacing the background like this comes with many issues described in this post “Photo retouching replacing a background”

Restoration works to restore and improve the photo, very rarely can atmosphere be added. If the image is just an everyday shot, say in the back garden of a relative or ancestor, it probably best left as is.

The purest view of restoration would not add anything at all. From a historical standpoint nothing should be changed but clients demand a variety of tweaks and interesting adjustments that challenges my skills. However I wont carry out any work that i know wont work or will look fake.

Natural atmosphere through lighting, texture, weather, dust, rain, dark and light and composition is what makes a great photo. If all you have is a poorly composed images no amount of retouching with create an atmospheric shot. “You cant make a silk purse from a sows ear” says the old proverb…

About the Author

I'm a photo restoration artist preserving moments in history, a photo retoucher and an image wizard. For the last 3 years, a Lynda.com author providing content based learning, photo restoration courses.